Training Program in Basic and Translational Oncology

The opportunities for new and targeted approaches to cancer treatment are growing at an exponential pace. However, to effectively harness these opportunities requires a pool of researchers who can bridge the divide between the lab-based identification of new therapeutic approaches and the actual clinical needs and practicalities of patient care. Currently the pool of individuals with such background and skills is limited. The Training Program in Basic and Translational Oncology seeks to address this shortfall by increasing the number of individuals with a strong training in the areas of cancer biology that underlie identification of new therapeutic approaches, who also have a true understanding of the challenges and needs associated with translating scientific discovery into the clinic. The Training Program has two key goals: The first goal is to provide trainees with a rigorous and applied understanding of how basic research in cancer biology can be utilized to identify new and more effective therapeutic strategies. The second goal is to provide trainees with an understanding of the challenges in translating basic biological findings to the clinic. The training focuses on three areas that are key to development of new therapeutic approaches and are areas of institutional strength in cancer therapy: cancer metabolism, tumor immunology and host microenvironment, and translational cancer therapy. A series of multidisciplinary activities are proposed to achieve the goals of the Program. (1) Trainees participate in a mentored research project under the direction of one of 29 faculty mentors who come from 9 basic science and clinical departments across the University of Cincinnati (UC) and Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center (CCHMC). The faculty research mentors have active, well-funded research programs and extensive mentoring experience. (2) Trainees receive formal training that includes didactic coursework, seminar attendance, ethics training and career development activities. The specialized classes lead to a Graduate Certificate in Clinical and Translational Research. (3) Trainees participate in activities in clinical oncology. Each trainee is paired with a clinical co-mentor who is an MD with expertise related to the trainee’s research area. The clinical co-mentor participates in the development of the trainee’s research project and career plan. In addition, trainees attend Tumor Boards/Grand Rounds and participate in clinical shadowing experiences with their co-mentor. The Training Program is administered by Multi-Principal Investigators with support from business offices within UC/CCHMC. Three administrative committees provide program evaluation and oversight, support a rigorous trainee selection process, ensure excellence in training, and monitor trainee progress. There is a strong institutional commitment to the Training Program in the form of direct financial support, trainee benefits and administrative support. The Training Program requests support from the NIH for 4 predoctoral and 2 postdoctoral trainees.